Managing Non-Traditional Threats by Using Space Technology: A Case of Pakistan

Abstract

Since 1957, the progression in space-based technology has opened more avenues for the peaceful application of space. Non-traditional threats originate from multiple sources of natural causes and affect a State’s population and its relevant institutions. In this realm, satellites play a vital role in dealing with such threats. The South Asian region is also victim to traditional as well as non-traditional security threats. Similarly, Pakistan is facing numerous non-traditional threats which primarily threaten its socio- economic security. Such challenges are diverse including their spiral nature from one state to another specially with environmental hazards, water and food security and aggravating population growth with increasing social disparity over distribution of resources. Pakistan has signed many agreements in the field of peaceful uses of space technology. Pakistan’s space program highlights the use of space technology in different domains including agriculture, health, education, disaster management, environment, climate change, land planning, coastal and marine resources, geology and mineral prospection. With the peaceful application of space technology, Pakistan is determined to enhance its national infrastructure and is ready to meet and curb the emerging non-traditional threats to its national security. With regards to the peaceful use of space and threat management, this paper discusses the areas wherein Pakistan is using space technology to deal with these threats and analysis the issue of space militarization.